With MMM already into one cup final they returned to Rugby Camp to face last season’s Challenge Cup winners, Co-op Dragons in their second semi-final.

Having opted to kick off Meon wasted no time getting up the pitch to take the game to the Dragons’ defence and were rewarded immediately when a handball on the left wing resulted in a free kick which was quickly taken. S. Hargraves was played in, taking the ball to the by-line before putting a ball in at the back post which was latched onto by Chesney who hit the ball on the volley to go 1:0 up in the first 30 seconds.

After a lively start to the game Co-Op immediately began trying to get a reply and went close after winning a free kick on 8 minutes, the ball in deflected wide for a corner kick. A dangerous ball was whipped in however a flick on header from MMM skipper, S. Smith saw the ball cleared out then on 15 minutes Co-Op almost thought they were about to draw level when their #23 was played through at the second time of asking only for an offside flag to bring an end to the attack.

Four chances in the space of 5 minutes for Dragons eventually saw them get their reward beginning with a blocked effort on 18 minutes, M. Hassan bravely got in the way to keep Meon in front. A long ball from the Dragons keeper resulted in a corner which P. Smith headed out but only as far as a Dragons midfielder on 20 minutes however MMM keeper, S. Watson smothered the follow up. Another minute later and Watson was again called into action when #23 took down a ball over the top before unleashing a powerful shot which was just tipped over the bar for another corner.

Despite clearing their lines once more Meon were again under pressure when #23 got played in again on the right with N. Bennett giving chase however the Dragons forward won the foot race and blasted the ball across goal. Despite getting a strong hand to it, keeper S. Watson couldn’t do anything more to stop the ball from crossing the line in the 23rd minute to make the score 1:1.

Once the game got back underway MMM went back in chase to take the lead with O. Brown breaking down the left wing on 26 minutes, he played a tempting ball into the box but with no one there to get on the end of it Co-Op got the ball clear. A minute later attack had turned into defence when #23 was left in space to have a free volley at goal however the effort was well wide. With the game wide open F. Wilson made a perfectly timed challenge to win the ball in midfield and release the ball down the right to eventually win a throw in.

On 33 minutes S. Hargraves made a well-timed run to be played in and managed to force a corner which he then took, playing a ball into L. Brown who returned back to Hargraves to draw out the Dragons defence. At the second attempt Hargraves’s follow up cross was met at the penalty spot by F. Wilson who bravely committed himself with the keeper rushing out to hit on the volley and put Meon 2:1 up in the 34th minute.

As the half drew to a close Meon fought hard to preserve their lead and as the 45th minute approached looked to have done enough however with seconds remaining Co-Op were awarded a free kick inside the MMM half. A quick ball over the top was met with a free header into the net for #3 to make it 2:2, Meon rallied to create one more break away before the half time whistle and were rewarded with a corner however the cross was well cleared and both teams left the pitch on level terms.

35 seconds into the second half and Meon almost took the lead again when S. Hargraves burst forward with the ball at his feet, he beat the defender however opted for power over precision and shot over the bar. A minute later, O. Brown broke down the left and into the area with the keeper to beat but saw his powerful shot well saved after shooting straight at the keeper. On 49 minutes S. Hargraves got forward again, he took the ball around the defence but was forced round the outside before finding a way into the area and squaring the ball to F. Wilson whose shot went narrowly wide.

Into the 51st minute L. Brown was under pressure at the back after only half connecting with the ball to get clear Co-Op were quick to pounce however P. Smith was quicker making a vital clearance. The first change for Meon came in the 54th minute with N. Bennett making way for K. Higgins to come on, on the left wing with O. Brown moving into the left back position.

A slight miscommunication in the 61st minute saw S. Watson fail to claim a high ball which ended up at the feet of a Co-Op player however quickly made up with a quick reaction save to keep the score at 2:2. In the 67th minute Meon then had a chance cleared off the line after S. Hargraves put in a precision cross, S. Smith sent the ball towards goal with a flicked on header however Co-Op cleared off the line.

75 minutes gone and Meon looked to bring on some fresh legs with Chesney coming off for G. Jewell however in the 77th minute MMM were under pressure with O. Brown having to make a last gasp challenge and doing enough to force the ball out for a goal kick. Shortly after S. Watson was called into action again after a direct free kick was sent across goal, Watson, off his line backpedalled and tipped the ball onto the crossbar before P. Smith made an amazing block from the rebound, still 2:2.

In the 82nd minute M. Hassan burst forward and cut into the box with F. Wilson in space for the tap in however Hassan opted for the shot and the chance went begging. Two minutes later and M. Hassan created another chance on the right wing when he crossed for S. Hargraves who made a run in from the left but his shot went narrowly wide.

The biggest controversy of the game came in the 86th minute when Hargraves was played in down the left by O. Brown, Hargraves with just the onrushing keeper to beat knocked the ball passed as he made his way into the 18 yard box. With a handful of shirt the keeper almost ripped Hargraves jersey as he fought to deny Hargraves a clear goal scoring opportunity however the pitch and side-line erupted when the referee failed to acknowledge a clear penalty and what should have been a straight red card.

As the final seconds ticked away Meon had one last chance to settle the tie before going into extra time when S. Hargraves was again fouled only this time was rightfully awarded a free kick. Unfortunately the kick went wide, left of the goal and the semi-final would have to be concluded in extra time and possibly penalties.

5 minutes into extra time Meon got a ray of hope when S. Hargraves found the net to make it 3:2 after F. Wilson managed to win a knockdown to allow Hargraves in to lob from the edge of the area. With only 15 minutes of the tie remaining Meon were close to booking a second final place for the 2017/18 season however Co-Op were not beaten yet, in the 106th minute their #3 got in round the back to the left of goal and slotted the ball low across goal to again draw the Dragons level.

In the 113th minute Meon again thought they’d sealed their place in the final when S. Hargraves made a perfectly timed run to go one on one with the keeper before rounding him, with his shirt well out of reach to finish again to go 4:3 up. With all that was at stake MMM needed to keep their discipline and hold their nerve however disaster struck in the 117th minute when Dragons pulled it back to 4:4 however were very nearly denied with the linesman flagging for offside only to be overruled by the referee to take it down to the wire.

After 120 minutes of football couldn’t separate the two sides in what turned out to be a thrilling semi-final it would have to be decided on penalties. Having suffered a Hampshire cup semi-final loss on penalties at the hands of Co-Op Dragons in 2014/15 Meon were determined to avenge that defeat and overcome the injustice felt in the 86th minute.

As both teams selected their penalty takers it was decided that Meon would be going first with new signing, Scot bravely stepping up. With a short run up he appeared to slip slightly as he connected with the ball before sending it agonisingly wide to the left of the post. The pressure was immediately on Meon keeper, S. Watson to keep Meon level and he did not let his team down making a fine save to keep it 0:0. Regular penalty taker P. Smith was next up however saw his effort well saved to keep it goalless on penalties. Dragons’ #4 was up shortly after, S. Watson went the right way however the ball was in the back of the net, 1:0.

Keen to exorcise the memory of missing in the Hampshire cup semi-final shootout K. Higgins brought it back to 1:1 however Dragons had the advantage, their #25 confidently finished to make it 2:1 before M. Hassan made it 2:2. The next penalty would be crucial as #23 prepared to put his side one step closer to the final, S. Watson almost got to it but the kick was good and Dragons made it 3:2. S. Hargraves again gave Meon hope, dispatching his kick confidently to bring it back to 3:3. The final penalty was left to the Co-Op #1 who was lucky to be on the field however having done everything he could to get his team into the final up he stepped to take the deciding penalty, slotting low to the right to make it 4:3 and booking his team into the final to defend their Challenge Cup.